A Grand Display is a sculptural installation by renowned Australian artist Troy Emery which has been developed specifically for The Vault, featuring a number of iconic textile sculptures.
Through the use of different materials including tassels and rope, Troy has bought to life a dark space in the upstairs room of the Bundaberg Regional Galleries.
Having never visited Bundaberg before, Troy said he was excited when he was contacted to exhibit in the region.
The Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery is the only space in Queensland you can currently see his works.
“When I was asked if I would be interested in displaying here I definitely was, having been locked in Melbourne for the past two years, it is almost surreal to be somewhere different,” Troy said.
“All of these works have been made brand new just for this exhibition, and it is currently the only place in Queensland there you can see my work.
“All of these pieces have come out of my studio over the past six months.”
When Troy found out his exhibition would be taking up the space known as The Vault, he got thinking about how the opportunity was presenting itself to exhibit his works in a slightly different way.
“I was invited up here to exhibit and when I heard that I was going to be using a space that used to be an old bank vault, I found that really interesting,” he said.
“It has been a really great opportunity to play with the way I display my work as well as being able to come up to Bundaberg and have a hands-on creative control over the space.”
Troy took on the opportunity to present his works in the dark space by taking inspiration from a museum.
“I realised by exhibiting in this space, there was the opportunity to do a dark museum-like install,” he said.
“So, when people come to see this they are walking into a dark space with these textile animal sculptures and they are kind of illuminated like you are in a tomb or maybe visiting a museum.
“My works always play on the kind of aesthetics of the museum and animals in museums and taxidermy.”
Troy said it can be challenging to find the right mix of form and materials to get the shape and style he is looking for in a piece.
In terms of hands-on labour, it takes about a week or so of full-time work.
“People will see that I use unusual materials in my work such as hardware and craft materials,” he said.
“In this exhibition you can see here is a pure wool wall hanging, and other pieces that are made of cotton chenille tassels, florescent reflective paracord, used pink cotton rope and polyester tassels.”
Troy said he was looking forward to the Bundaberg community visiting the gallery and seeing his exclusive works.
“I am really looking forward to the Bundaberg community being able to see my work and it is a real honour to exhibit away from home,” he said.
Currently residing in Melbourne, Emery’s work is held in private and public collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria, Artbank, City of Townsville, Goulbourn Regional Art Gallery, Deakin University Art Museum, Macquarie University Art Gallery, and Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Troy Emery is represented by Martin Browne Contemporary, Sydney.
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